Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle

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Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle
Musculusconstrictorpharyngismedius.png
Muscles of the pharynx and cheek (middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle labeled as constrictor pharyngis medius at center left)
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Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves (middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle labeled as Mid. constr. at center)
Details
Origin Hyoid bone
Insertion Pharyngeal raphe
Artery Ascending pharyngeal artery
Nerve Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve
Actions Swallowing
Identifiers
Latin musculus constrictor pharyngis medius
TA98 A05.3.01.108
TA2 2184
FMA 46622
Anatomical terms of muscle

The middle pharyngeal constrictor is a fan-shaped muscle located in the neck. It is one of three pharyngeal constrictor muscles. It is smaller than the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

Contents

The middle pharyngeal constrictor originates from the greater cornu and lesser cornu of the hyoid bone, and the stylohyoid ligament. It inserts onto the pharyngeal raphe. It is innervated by a branch of the vagus nerve through the pharyngeal plexus. It acts to propel a bolus downwards along the pharynx towards the esophagus, facilitating swallowing.

Structure

The middle pharyngeal constrictor is a sheet-like, fan-shaped muscle. [1]

The muscle's fibers diverge from their origin: the more inferior fibres descend deep to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle; the middle portion of fibres pass transversely; the more superior fibers ascend and overlap the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. [1]

Origin

Two parts of the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle are distinguished according to its sites of origin:

Insertion

The muscle inserts (posteriorly) into the pharyngeal raphe, [1] blending with its contralateral partner at the midline.[ citation needed ]

Innervation

Similarly to the superior and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles, it is innervated by a branch of the vagus nerve through the pharyngeal plexus.[ citation needed ]

Actions/movements

The contraction of the muscle constricts the middle portion of the pharynx. [1]

Function

The muscle contracts during swallowing: [1] as soon as the bolus of food is received in the pharynx, the elevator muscles relax, the pharynx descends, and the constrictors contract upon the bolus, and convey it downward towards the esophagus. [2] [3]

They also have respiratory mechanical effects. [4]

Additional images

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1143 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York. pp. 712–713. ISBN   978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC   1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. Rowe LD, Miller AJ, Chierici G, Clendenning D (August 1984). "Adaptation in the function of pharyngeal constrictor muscles". Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery . 92 (4): 392–401. doi:10.1177/019459988409200404. PMID   6435057. S2CID   32361287.
  3. Donner, Martin W.; Bosnia, James F.; Robertson, Diane L. (1985). "Anatomy and physiology of the pharynx". Gastrointestinal Radiology. 10 (1): 197–212. doi:10.1007/BF01893103. ISSN   0364-2356. PMID   4029536. S2CID   37515662.
  4. Kuna, Samuel T (2000). "Respiratory-related activation and mechanical effects of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles". Respiration Physiology. 119 (2–3): 155–161. doi:10.1016/S0034-5687(99)00110-3. ISSN   0034-5687. PMID   10722858.

Further reading